Day 33: All you need to know about the US-Israel war on Iran

This live blog follows updates for Day 33 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 32, go here

• Trump says US to leave Iran 'very soon,' deal or not
• Iran has 'necessary will' to end war, but seeking guarantees: president
• Pakistan, China propose five-point plan for Gulf, Middle East stability
• Israeli strikes in south Lebanon kill 8, including paramedic: health ministry
• Two Chinese container ships transited Strait of Hormuz on Monday: monitor      

Israeli military says air defenses responding to Iranian missiles

Published April 1, 2026 | 23:02 GMT

Israel's military said early Thursday its air defenses were operating to down missiles fired from Iran.

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

Iran says US making 'maximalist and irrational' demands: Iranian media

Published April 1, 2026 | 22:20 GMT

Iran said Thursday that Washington's demands were "maximalist and irrational" and denied negotiations were taking place on a ceasefire to stop the war in the Middle East, according to Iranian media.

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

He accused Washington of making "maximalist and irrational" demands, and said in comments carried on state television that Iran was ready for any attack, including an invasion by ground forces.

Iran president asks US people if Mideast war puts 'America First'

Published April 1, 2026 | 21:33 GMT

Iran's president asked the people of the United States if the Middle East conflict was truly putting "America First", accusing the US of war crimes and being influenced by Israel ahead of a much-anticipated address by Donald Trump.

Sparked by a US-Israeli offensive launched against Iran on February 28, the war has rippled across the Middle East, creating global economic turmoil.

More than a month in, US President Trump claimed Wednesday that Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian was seeking a ceasefire, a claim Tehran has denied.

"Attacking Iran's vital infrastructure -- including energy and industrial facilities -- directly targets the Iranian people," Pezeshkian said in an open letter, published to his website Wednesday.

Former Iran foreign minister badly wounded in strike: reports

Published April 1, 2026 | 20:30 GMT

Former Iranian foreign minister Kamal Kharazi was seriously wounded in a strike that also claimed the life of his wife, Iranian media reported.

According to the newspapers Shargh, Etemad and Ham Mihan, his home in Tehran was targeted on Wednesday in a US-Israeli strike.

He was badly injured and hospitalized following the attack, the outlets said.

Strike kills two fighters in northwestern Iraq: PMF official

Published April 1, 2026 | 19:32 GMT

A strike in northwestern Iraq killed two fighters from the former paramilitary coalition Hashed al-Shaabi on Wednesday, the alliance said, blaming the US and Israel.

An official with the group told AFP there were "two dead and six wounded in a Zionist-American aggression" on a position in Tal Afar district in Nineveh Governorate, near the Syrian border.

Iranians vow to 'resist until the end' at Guards naval chief's funeral

Published April 1, 2026 | 19:10 GMT

Thousands of Iranians gathered Wednesday in Tehran for the funeral of the Revolutionary Guards' naval commander, killed in an Israeli strike, with mourners vowing to fight to the end despite tough talk from Washington.

The procession took place on the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Republic, proclaimed on April 1, 1979, after the revolution that overthrew the last Shah and ended more than 2,500 years of monarchy.

"This war has lasted a month. However long it takes, we will continue," said Moussa Nowruzi, a 57-year-old pensioner.

"We will resist until the end."

Trump claim that Iran asked for ceasefire 'false': state TV

Published April 1, 2026 | 16:30 GMT

Iran on Wednesday denied US President Donald Trump's assertion that Tehran had asked for a ceasefire, state television reported, citing the foreign ministry.

"Trump's statements about Iran's request for a ceasefire are false and baseless," foreign ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei was quoted as saying.

Iran Guards say Hormuz strait 'will not be opened to enemies'

Published April 1, 2026 | 16:27 GMT

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

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

Trump says Iranian president wants ceasefire

Published April 1, 2026 | 13:55 GMT

President Donald Trump said Iran has asked for a ceasefire but that the United States would only consider this once the Strait of Hormuz is clear for shipping.

Iran's president "has just asked the United States of America for a CEASEFIRE!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. "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!!!"

Strikes hit Russian Orthodox church in Tehran: Russian embassy

Published April 1, 2026 | 12:15 GMT

Strikes in the Iranian capital on Wednesday hit a Russian Orthodox church, damaging the building, but there were no casualties, the Russian embassy in Tehran said.

"On April 1, two strikes were conducted near the Saint Nicholas Orthodox Church in Tehran. Main building, almshouse and several technical facilities were damaged. No victims," the embassy said in a post on X.

It posted images of the aftermath showing a ceiling partially collapsed, debris on the floor and blown out windows.

UN warns of rights clampdown in Iran, across Mideast amid war

Published April 1, 2026 | 11:53 GMT

Iran and countries across the Middle East are using the war as an excuse to clamp down on rights, the UN warned Wednesday as it denounced attempts to limit media freedom in Israel and the United States.

"We are witnessing a sharp securitisation of civic space across the region, with severe restrictions imposed by governments on people exercising their rights to freedom of expression and peaceful assembly," UN rights chief Volker Turk said in a statement.

He also decried "attempts to limit media freedom, such as restrictions imposed by Israeli military censorship authorities, and a threat by the US Federal Communications Commission to revoke broadcast licences for coverage deemed critical of the war."

Iranian nationals face tough new restrictions to enter UAE: airlines, agencies

Published April 1, 2026 | 11:43 GMT

Iranians have been barred from entering the UAE with only a few exceptions, Dubai-based airlines said, while travel agencies reported high visa rejections for Iranians since the Middle East war began.

Emirates and flydubai said on their websites that Iranian nationals were banned from entering the UAE, except for certain residents, family members of Emiratis, and certain professions.

"Nationals of Iran are not allowed to enter, and transit," Emirates and flydubai said on their websites.

Exemptions apply for UAE residents who are spouses of Emiratis,  children of an Emirati woman, or "athletes, bank executives, doctors, families, engineers, investors, senior professionals, or traders".

Flydubai said golden visa holders would also be allowed in.

UAE petrol jumps 30% as Mideast war bites

Published April 1, 2026 | 11:19 GMT

United Arab Emirates petrol prices rose more than 30% on Wednesday, with diesel soaring 72%, one month into the Middle East war.

Monthly rates set by the UAE's fuel price committee raise petrol prices by 31-33% for April, with the highest grade at 3.39 AED ($0.92). Diesel, commonly used by trucks and buses, rose to 4.69 AED ($1.28) per liter.

Petrol, up sharply around the world, also rose in other Gulf countries. In Kuwait, another OPEC oil producer, high-grade petrol is up 12.5% for April, while Qatar's standard gasoline lifted 7.9%.

Huge fire after drone attack hits engine oil warehouse in Iraqi Kurdistan

Published April 1, 2026 | 10: 47 GMT

A drone strike caused a massive fire at the storage facilities of an engine oil firm in Iraq's autonomous Kurdistan on Wednesday, the regional government and the company said.

Erbil's governor, Omed Khoshnaw, said the attack had started at around 0700 am local (0400 GMT) and that four drones had targeted the facility.

He said a double-tap attack had occurred, "while the teams were still working, the same site was attacked by another drone".

A fourth drone was "destroyed mid-air before reaching its target," he said, adding that the blaze was ongoing.

Iraqi firm Sardar Group confirmed in a statement that the facility, a warehouse located around five kilometers (three miles) from Erbil, was attacked.

The company said it was not involved in any way in the Middle East war and that its operations were limited to services and investment, including "the storage of lubricants for automobiles, agricultural equipment, and construction".

One injured following intercepted drone attack in UAE: official statement

Published April 1, 2026 | 10: 30 GMT

An Indian national was injured following a drone interception in an industrial zone of the northern emirate of Umm Al Quwain in the UAE on Wednesday, authorities said.

The Umm Al Quwain media office reported an incident "near a facility in the Umm Al Thuoob Industrial Area, resulting from falling shrapnel following the successful interception of a drone by air defense systems".

"The incident led to the injury of one Indian national," the statement shared on the official news agency WAM said.

Israeli strike in Beirut kill Hezbollah commander for Iraq: sources to AFP

Published April 1, 2026 | 10: 20 GMT

An Israeli strike in the Jnah area of Beirut early on Wednesday killed Hezbollah's top commander for Iraq military affairs, Yousef Hashem, a Lebanese security source and a Hezbollah source both told AFP.

The security source said "a senior Hezbollah official, who is the military chief for the Iraq file, named Youssef Hashem, was killed in the strike on the Jnah area in Beirut," adding that "he was in a meeting inside a tent near several vehicles".

A source close to Hezbollah confirmed the information, while the health ministry announced a final toll of seven people killed in the strike.

US-Israeli strikes hit steel complexes in central, southwest Iran: media

Published April 1, 2026 | 10: 09 GMT

US-Israeli strikes have hit steel complexes in central and southwest Iran, causing damage to production units, Iranian media reported on Wednesday.

"Initial assessments indicate massive attacks, with significant damage and destruction to production units" at the complex of the Mobarakeh Steel Company, one of Iran's biggest, in the central province of Isfahan, Fars news agency reported, quoting a statement by the company.

It added that the fresh attacks took place on Tuesday evening, hitting the complex in Isfahan as well as one of the company's subsidiaries, Sefid Dasht Steel, in the southwestern Chaharmahal and Bakhtiari province, which "sustained damage and losses".

UK PM calls NATO world's 'most effective military alliance' after Trump criticism

Published April 1, 2026 | 09:43 GMT

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer called NATO "the single most effective military alliance the world has ever seen" on Wednesday, following renewed criticism of the group by US President Donald Trump.

"It has kept us safe for many decades, and we are fully committed to NATO," Starmer told a press conference, after Trump told the UK's Telegraph newspaper that the alliance was a "paper tiger".

Starmer says UK to host multi-nation meeting on Hormuz shipping

Published April 1, 2026 | 09:37 GMT

Britain will this week host a meeting of about 35 countries to discuss how to reopen the strategic Strait of Hormuz, which has been crippled by the Middle East war, Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced Wednesday.

The meeting will "assess all viable diplomatic and political measures that we can take to restore freedom of navigation, guarantee the safety of trapped ships and seafarers and resume the movement of vital commodities", Starmer told reporters.

‘Not our war’: UK PM says will not be drawn into Mideast conflict

Published April 1, 2026 | 09:30 GMT

The UK Prime Minister said on Wednesday that the UK will not be drawn into the Middle East conflict. 

"Once again, this is not our war. We will not be drawn into the conflict. That is not in our national interest,” he said while addressing a press conference at 10 Downing Street. 

Trump “strongly considering” pulling out of NATO: Telegraph

Published April 1, 2026 | 09:20 GMT

US President Donald Trump is “strongly considering” withdrawing the United States from NATO, according to a report by The Telegraph.

The report says the move is being weighed amid mounting frustration in Washington over European allies’ stance on the Iran conflict, with Trump questioning the alliance’s value and level of support for US military objectives.

Qatar says Iran missile struck tanker in its waters

Published April 1, 2026 | 09:13 GMT

Qatar said on Wednesday that a tanker leased to its state-owned energy company was struck by an Iranian missile in the Gulf country's territorial waters.

"Qatar was targeted... by three cruise missiles launched from Iran," the Gulf state's defense ministry said in a statement.

Qatar's military "intercepted two of the cruise missiles, while the third missile struck an oil tanker leased to QatarEnergy in Qatar's territorial waters," it said.

"Coordination was established with relevant authorities to evacuate the tanker, which had 21 crew members on board, without any human casualties," the defense ministry added.

Strikes hit area near former US embassy in Tehran: AFP journalist

Published April 1, 2026 | 08:41 GMT

Early Wednesday strikes hit the area near the former US embassy in Tehran, damaging some of the building's walls, an AFP journalist reported.

Other footage carried by Mehr news agency showed the aftermath of the strikes in central Tehran, with shops damaged, windows blown out and debris scattered across the area near the building.

The wall of the former embassy, which was transformed into a museum known as the "Den of Spies", appeared damaged in the footage.

Iran claims it shot down US drone in Lorestan

Published April 1, 2026 | 08:30 GMT

Police in the province of Lorestan in southern Iran claim to have shot down a US-made "Lucas" drone in the city of Khorramabad, Al Jazeera reported, citing Iranian media.

National Bank of Kuwait shuts headquarters amid Iran attacks

Published April 1, 2026 | 08:15 GMT

A major Kuwaiti bank said it will close its headquarters in the capital for two days starting Wednesday, as Iran carries out daily strikes on the Gulf more than one month into the Middle East war.

"National Bank of Kuwait will close its headquarters and Subhan branch today, Wednesday, and tomorrow, due to current developments and in the interest of everyone's safety and business continuity," the bank said in a statement carried by state news agency Kuna.

NBK, one of Kuwait's largest banks, also closed a branch in the industrial area of Subhan, home to security and government facilities and close to the airport, which has been targeted repeatedly by Iran.

Qatar says Iran missile struck tanker in its waters

Published April 1, 2026 | 08:13 GMT

Qatar said on Wednesday that a tanker leased to its state-owned energy company was struck by an Iranian missile in the Gulf country's territorial waters.

"Qatar was targeted... by three cruise missiles launched from Iran," the Gulf state's defense ministry said in a statement.

Qatar's military "intercepted two of the cruise missiles, while the third missile struck an oil tanker leased to QatarEnergy in Qatar's territorial waters," it said.

"Coordination was established with relevant authorities to evacuate the tanker, which had 21 crew members on board, without any human casualties," the defense ministry added.

Iran FM says not responded to US plan, 'no negotiations'

Published April 1, 2026 | 07:10 GMT

Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said there were no negotiations with the United States and that Tehran had not responded to a reported 15-point proposal from Washington to end the war.

"We receive messages from the American side, some direct and some through our friends in the region, and whenever necessary we respond to these messages," Araghchi said in an interview with Al Jazeera aired on Wednesday and dubbed into Arabic from Persian.

"There are no grounds for negotiations," he said, adding however that some messages had been exchanged directly with US special envoy Steve Witkoff.

Israel medics say 14 wounded after Iranian missile fire

Published April 1, 2026 | 06:45 GMT

Israel's emergency medical service said 14 people, including an 11-year-old girl, were wounded during a missile attack that the military blamed on Iran, and police said caused damage at several sites.

The military said it had "identified missiles launched from Iran towards the territory of the State of Israel" for the first time in about 20 hours, with air raid sirens activated across central Israel.

Another warning of incoming missile fire came less than an hour later, prompting alerts across large parts of northern and central Israel, according to the military's Home Front Command.

It said a 13-year-old boy and 36-year-old woman, also with shrapnel injuries, were in moderate condition and a further 11 casualties in "mild condition."

Lebanon says Israeli strikes on Beirut area kill 7

Published April 1, 2026 | 06:44 GMT

Lebanon's health ministry said Wednesday that Israeli strikes on Beirut's southern suburbs and a nearby town killed at least seven people, as Israel's military said it had targeted senior Hezbollah members.

The health ministry said an Israeli raid early Wednesday in the Jnah area, which borders Hezbollah's stronghold in the southern suburbs of Beirut, killed at least five people and wounded 21 others.

A Lebanese security source said four cars parked on a street were targeted.

The sound of several large explosions had been heard across the city, and a column of smoke was seen rising from the Jnah area, which is home to apartment buildings, cafes and shops.

Yemen's Houthis claim third missile attack targeting Israel

Published April 1, 2026 | 06:41 GMT

Yemen's Houthis on Wednesday claimed a missile attack targeting Israel that they said was launched jointly with their backer Iran and Lebanon's Hezbollah group -- the third such attack by the Houthis since they entered the Middle East war.

The Houthis "carried out the third military operation... targeting sensitive Israeli enemy targets... with a barrage of ballistic missiles", military spokesman Yahya Saree said in a video statement.

"This operation was conducted jointly with our mujahideen brothers in Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon," he added.

Israel medics say 11-year-old wounded after Iran missile fire

Published April 1, 2026 | 05:54 GMT

Israel's emergency medical service said an 11-year-old girl was in serious condition after a missile attack that the military blamed on Iran, and police said caused damage at several sites.

The military said it had "identified missiles launched from Iran towards the territory of the State of Israel" for the first time in about 20 hours, with air raid sirens activated across central Israel.

Another warning of incoming missile fire came less than an hour later, prompting alerts across large parts of northern and central Israel, according to the military's Home Front Command.

The Magen David Adom emergency medical service said an 11-year-old girl was seriously wounded by shrapnel in central Israel as a result of the first launch.

Bangladeshi killed by drone shrapnel in UAE: official media

Published April 1, 2026 | 05:35 GMT

A Bangladeshi national was killed by falling shrapnel after a drone interception in the United Arab Emirates, the official WAM news agency said on Wednesday.

"Shrapnel falling from the interception of a drone... resulted in the killing of a person of Bangladeshi nationality," WAM posted on X, adding that the incident happened in Fujairah, which is close to the Strait of Hormuz.

Israel military says working to intercept Iran missile attack

Published April 1, 2026 | 05:07 GMT

The Israeli military said its air defenses responded to a missile attack from Iran on Wednesday, with warning sirens activated across central Israel.

"A short while ago, the IDF (army) identified missiles launched from Iran toward the territory of the State of Israel. Defensive systems are operating to intercept the threat," a military statement said.

Israel military says carried out 'wide-scale wave of strikes' on Tehran

Published April 1, 2026 | 04:45 GMT

The Israeli military said it carried out strikes on Wednesday on Tehran, where Iranian state broadcaster IRIB reported blasts in several areas.

A brief military statement said Israeli forces had "completed a wide-scale wave of strikes targeting infrastructure sites of the Iranian terror regime in Tehran".

Israel says air defenses responding to missile from Yemen

Published April 1, 2026 | 03:45 GMT

The Israeli military said air defenses responded early Wednesday to a missile launched from Yemen, where Iran's Houthi allies have claimed attacks on Israel in recent days.

A military statement said Israeli forces had "identified the launch of a missile from Yemen toward Israeli territory, aerial defense systems are operating to intercept the threat", later announcing that residents were "permitted to leave protected spaces in all areas of the country".

Israeli media said the missile was intercepted, and there were no reports of any casualties or damage.

Iran state TV reports strikes across Tehran

Published April 1, 2026 | 02:54 GMT

Iran's state broadcaster IRIB said areas in northern, eastern and central Tehran were under attack on Wednesday.

The broadcaster said on Telegram that explosions were heard in the capital's north, east, and center, reporting "attacks on Tehran" without immediately providing more details.

Drone attack targets Kuwait airport, fuel tanks on fire: aviation agency

Published April 1, 2026 | 02:30 GMT

Kuwait's civil aviation authority said the Gulf state's international airport was under an Iranian drone attack on Wednesday that led to "a large fire" at fuel tanks.

"Kuwait International Airport has been subjected to blatant attacks by drones launched by Iran and the armed factions it supports," the official Kuwait News Agency quoted the spokesman of the General Directorate of Civil Aviation as saying.

The spokesman, Abdullah Al‑Rajhi, said "fuel storage tanks... were targeted, resulting in a large fire at the site", reporting no casualties.

US will 'have to reexamine' NATO relationship: Rubio

Published April 1, 2026 | 01:43 GMT

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Tuesday that the United States "is going to have to reexamine" its relationship with NATO once the war against Iran has concluded.

"I think there's no doubt, unfortunately, after this conflict is concluded, we are going to have to reexamine that relationship. We're going to have to reexamine the value of NATO in that alliance for our country," Rubio said on Fox News, adding that "ultimately" it would be a decision for President Donald Trump to make.

Australian leader to address nation on Middle East war

 Published April 1, 2026 | 01:27 GMT

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese will deliver a rare address to the nation on television and radio on Wednesday, outlining Canberra's response to the Middle East conflict.

Albanese will make the address at 7:00 pm Canberra time (0800 GMT) and is expected to urge Australians to save fuel for industries that need it.

Treasurer Jim Chalmers announced temporary tax relief for small businesses on Wednesday and said the longer the war drags on, the greater the impact on the economy.

Tanker hit by 'unknown projectile' off Qatar: UK agency

 Published April 1, 2026 | 01:09 GMT

A tanker has been hit by a projectile in the Gulf, off the coast of Qatar's capital Doha, a British maritime security agency said Wednesday, reporting some damage but no casualties.

The UK Maritime Trade Operations said it had received a report of an incident 17 nautical miles (31 kilometers) north of Doha, that a "tanker has been hit by an unknown projectile on the port side, causing damage to the hull above the water line. The crew are reported as safe."

It added that there was "no environmental impact" and that authorities were investigating the incident.

Israeli strikes kill 7 in Beirut and nearby town: Lebanon health ministry

 Published April 1, 2026 | 00:46 GMT

Israeli strikes in south Beirut and a nearby area killed seven people and wounded dozens, Lebanon's health ministry said on Wednesday.

"The Israeli enemy's raid on the Jnah area in Beirut has, according to an initial toll, resulted in five martyrs and 21 others wounded," a ministry statement said, referring to an area in south Beirut.

The strikes on Jnah targeted four cars that were parked in the street, a Lebanese security source said.

Another strike that hit a vehicle in Khaldeh, just south of the capital, killed two people and wounded three, the Ministry of Health said in another statement.

Trump says US to leave Iran 'very soon,' deal or not

 Published March 31, 2026 | 22:13 GMT

President Donald Trump said Tuesday that US forces would end operations in Iran "very soon," evoking a timeline of two to three weeks as his administration pursues talks with Iranian authorities while continuing its aerial campaign.

 Asked during a White House event about the impact of high fuel prices since the start of the war on February 8, Trump said that "All I have to do is leave Iran, and we'll be doing that very soon, and they'll tumble down."

"But we're finishing the job, and I think within maybe two weeks, maybe a couple of days longer," US forces will leave, he added.

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