LIVE: Saudi, Iranian FMs hold first call since start of war: Saudi ministry

This live blog follows updates for Day 41 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 40, go here.

• Israel launches major strikes across Lebanon, causing heavy casualties
• Lebanon declares national mourning after widespread civilian deaths
• US-Iran ceasefire holds, but excludes ongoing conflict in Lebanon
• Global leaders urge restraint and support diplomacy to sustain truce
• Preparations begin for US-Iran talks in Islamabad amid fragile ceasefire.

Iran rules out restrictions on enrichment program: Nuclear chief

Published: April 9, 2026 | 10:54 GMT | By AFP

Iran rules out restrictions on enrichment program, AFP reported quoting the nuclear chief.

EU slams Hormuz toll idea, urges unrestricted freedom of navigation

Published: April 9, 2026 | 10:50 GMT | By AFP

The EU said Thursday that freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz must be ensured with "no payment or toll whatsoever", after Iran suggested it could charge for letting ships through the vital Gulf waterway.

"International law provides for the freedom of navigation, which means... basically no payment or toll whatsoever," European Commission spokesman Anouar El Anouni told a press conference in Brussels. "Freedom of navigation is a public good and needs to be ensured."

US oil price jumps 5% on Mideast ceasefire concerns

Published: April 9, 2026 | 10:40 GMT | By AFP

The main US oil contract jumped five percent Thursday on investor concerns over the Middle East ceasefire holding and as the key Strait of Hormuz remained largely blocked to traffic.

West Texas Intermediate (WTI) rallied to $99.13 a barrel, while the main international benchmark, Brent North Sea crude, rose 3.6% to $98.12.

Crude futures had plunged Wednesday after the United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire, which has been placed in doubt by Israel's ongoing attacks against Iran-backed Hezbollah in Lebanon.

EU says strikes on Lebanon endangering US-Iran ceasefire

Published: April 9, 2026 | 09:40 GMT | By AFP

The European Union on Thursday called on Israel to halt its strikes on Lebanon which it said were endangering the US-Iran ceasefire.

"Israeli actions are putting the US-Iran ceasefire under severe strain. The Iran truce should extend to Lebanon," the European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas said.

"Israeli strikes killed hundreds last night, making it hard to argue that such heavy-handed actions fall within self-defense," she added.

"Hezbollah must disarm, as it agreed to do. The EU supports Lebanon’s efforts to disarm" the group, Kallas added.

Death toll from Israeli strikes on Lebanon Wednesday rises to 203: Health ministry

Published: April 9, 2026 | 09:40 GMT | By AFP

The toll from simultaneous Israeli airstrikes on Beirut and other areas in Lebanon on Wednesday rose to over 200 dead and over 1,000 wounded, Health Minister Rakan Nassereddine said Thursday.

Before taking part in a cabinet meeting, Nassereddine said: "The death toll stands at 203 martyrs and more than 1,000 wounded in the aggression against Lebanon on Wednesday." 

The ministry had earlier reported 182 dead and 890 wounded in Wednesday's attacks.

Saudi, Iranian FMs hold first call since start of war: Saudi ministry

Published: April 9, 2026 | 09:11 GMT | By AFP

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan held a phone conversation with his Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi, the Saudi foreign ministry said Thursday, in the first official contact between the countries since Tehran launched strikes against its Gulf neighbors in retaliation for Israeli-American attacks.

"The call focused on reviewing developments in the situation and ways to slow the pace of tensions so as to help restore security and stability in the region," the Saudi Foreign Ministry said in a statement, which was issued the day after the announcement of a two-week ceasefire between Iran and the United States.

No reports from Gulf states of overnight strikes, a first since conflict began: CNN

Published: April 9, 2026 | 07:12 GMT | By Web Desk

There are no reports from Gulf states of overnight strikes, a first since conflict began.

"It’s dawn [Thursday morning] in the Gulf where there have been no reports of drone or missile attacks overnight for the first time since the US and Israel’s attack on Iran sparked widespread retaliatory strikes that have upended the region," CNN reported.

UK 'strongly' wants to see ceasefire extended to Lebanon: Foreign secretary 

Published: April 9, 2026 | 06:52 GMT | By AFP

British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper said Thursday the UK "strongly" wanted to see Lebanon included in the ceasefire in the Middle East.

"We do want to see the ceasefire extended to Lebanon. I'm deeply troubled about the escalating attacks that we saw from Israel in Lebanon yesterday," she told Sky News.

"We've seen the humanitarian consequences, the huge mass displacement of people in Lebanon. So we do strongly want to see the ceasefire extended to Lebanon," she said.

French FM condemns 'unacceptable' Israeli strikes on Lebanon

Published: April 9, 2026 | 06:51 GMT | By AFP

France's foreign minister on Thursday condemned "unacceptable" Israeli strikes on Lebanon, warning they could undermine the fragile US-Iran ceasefire.

"These attacks are all the more unacceptable as they undermine the temporary ceasefire reached yesterday between the United States and Iran," Jean-Noel Barrot told France Inter radio, a day after Lebanon reported Israeli strikes killed at least 182 people and wounded 890.

Trump says US military to stay deployed near Iran until 'real agreement' reached

Published: April 9, 2026 | 04:31 GMT | By AFP

US President Donald Trump late Wednesday said US military deployed near Iran would remains stationed in the area until a "real agreement" is reached, as it enters a fragile two-week ceasefire with Tehran.

"All U.S. Ships, Aircraft, and Military Personnel, with additional Ammunition, Weaponry, and anything else that is appropriate and necessary for the lethal prosecution and destruction of an already substantially degraded Enemy, will remain in place in, and around, Iran, until such time as the REAL AGREEMENT reached is fully complied with," Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform.

UN chief warns Israeli strikes on Lebanon pose 'grave risk' to US-Iran truce: Spokesman

Published: April 9, 2026 | 04:31 GMT | By AFP

The United Nations secretary-general on Wednesday warned that deadly Israeli strikes on Lebanon posed a "grave risk" to the fragile US-Iran truce, his spokesperson said in a statement.

"The ongoing military activity in Lebanon poses a grave risk to the ceasefire and the efforts toward a lasting and comprehensive peace in the region. The Secretary-General reiterates his call to all parties to immediately cease hostilities," UN chief Antonio Guterres's spokesman said.

The Lebanese health ministry reported that 182 people were killed and 890 wounded by Israeli strikes on Wednesday, with capital Beirut hit by the most violent bombardment yet since the start of the war between Israel and Hezbollah.

Hezbollah says fired rockets towards Israel in response to 'violation of ceasefire'

Published: April 9, 2026 | 02:04 GMT | By AFP

Hezbollah said it had fired rockets towards Israel in response to its "violation" of the US-Iran truce.

It came a day after the Lebanese group said it had a "right" to respond to a deadly wave of Israeli strikes across Lebanon.

"In response to the enemy's violation of the ceasefire agreement," Hezbollah targeted the Israeli kibbutz of Manara near the border with Lebanon with a rocket barrage, Hezbollah said in a statement.

Heavy Lebanon strikes overshadow fragile regional ceasefire

Published: April 9, 2026 | 02:28 GMT | By Web Desk 

Israel carried out its heaviest strikes on Lebanon since fighting with Hezbollah escalated last month, killing more than 250 people, according to Lebanese authorities.

The country’s civil defense service said 254 people were killed and over 1,100 wounded, including 91 deaths in Beirut, while the health ministry earlier reported at least 182 fatalities, noting the toll was not final.

Prime Minister Nawaf Salam declared a national day of mourning, condemning attacks on “hundreds of innocent, defenseless civilians.”

The United Nations also reacted, with spokesman Farhan Haq saying it “strongly condemns the strikes… that resulted in significant civilian casualties.”

The escalation has also raised concerns over broader truce efforts, with Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian indicating that a ceasefire in Lebanon is a key condition linked to Iran’s understanding of the agreement with the United States.

Iran announces alternative routes in Hormuz strait

Published: April 9, 2026 | 00:13 GMT | By AFP

Iran announced alternative routes for ships travelling through the Strait of Hormuz, citing the risk of sea mines in the main zone of the vital waterway.

Tehran has agreed to temporarily reopen the strait, through which one-fifth of the world's oil usually passes, as part of a two-week truce.

"All ships intending to transit the Strait of Hormuz are hereby notified that in order to comply with the principles of maritime safety and to be protected from possible collisions with sea mines...they should take alternative routes for traffic in the Strait of Hormuz," Iran's Revolutionary Guards said in a statement quoted by local media.

The statement shared instructions for an alternative entry and exit route through the strait.

The United States and Iran agreed to a two-week ceasefire overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, less than an hour before US President Donald Trump's deadline to obliterate the Islamic Republic if it did not bow to his demands for a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

White House has confirmed that US President Trump "is dispatching his negotiating team led by the vice president of the United States, JD Vance, special envoy (Steve) Witkoff, and Mr (Jared) Kushner to Islamabad for talks this weekend."

The Iranian Supreme National Security Council has also said that Iran will engage in negotiations in Islamabad with the American side for a period of two weeks.