This live blog covered developments on Day 61 of the US-Israeli war on Iran. For a recap of Day 60, go here, and for Day 62 updates, click here.

• Iran urges UNSC action while Amnesty condemns Israel’s attacks in Lebanon
• Lebanese president denounces deadly strike killing medics, citing violations of international law
• Oil prices rise as Middle East war fuels uncertainty and economic concerns globally
• US enforces maritime blockade while tensions grow over Iran and Strait of Hormuz
• Regional leaders weigh responses as conflict impacts energy markets, security, and civilians

Iran parliament speaker says no oil wells ‘exploded’ under US blockade

Published: April 29, 2026 | 23:26 GMT | by Web Desk

Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf says that US measures to halt Iran’s sale of oil have yet to see its storage tanks reach capacity and have simply resulted in oil prices going up.

“Three days in, no well exploded,” Ghalibaf said in a post on X. “We could extend to 30 and livestream the well here.”

The speaker for Iran’s parliament added that members of the US administration, including Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who claimed the blockade would put pressure on Iran, are acting on “junk advice”.

“[They] push the blockade theory and cranked oil up to $120+. Next stop: 140. The issue isn’t the theory, it’s the mindset.”

Gaza-bound aid ship blocked by Israeli military speedboats

Published: April 29, 2026 | 21:14 GMT | by Web Desk

Organisers of a humanitarian aid ship sailing towards Gaza with the aim of breaking Israel’s blockade say their vessel has been approached by apparent Israeli speedboats.

“Our boats were approached by military speedboats, self-identified as ‘Israel’, pointing lasers and semi-automatic assault weapons, ordering participants to the front of the boats and to get on their hands and knees,” said the Global Sumud Flotilla aid mission.

“Boat communications are being jammed, and a SOS was issued.”

Israel Army Radio cited an Israeli source as saying Israel began seizing control of aid ships heading towards Gaza far from Israeli shores.

Iran’s Araghchi speaks with Lebanese parliament speaker

Published: April 29, 2026 | 20:26 GMT | by Web Desk

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says he spoke by phone with Lebanon’s Parliament Speaker Nabih Berry, Al Jazeera reported.

In a post on his official Telegram account, Araghchi said the two officials “discussed and exchanged views on the latest regional developments”.

As we reported, Araghchi also spoke by phone earlier with India’s Foreign Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, discussing Iran’s ceasefire with the US and other regional and international developments.

Iran officials leave Canada before FIFA Congress over airport 'insult': Iranian media

Published: April 29, 2026 | 20:18 GMT | by AFP

Top Iranian football officials have left Canada before the start of the FIFA Congress because of the behaviour of officials during immigration checks at Toronto's international airport, Iranian media reported.

The global football body's gathering of member nation representatives will be held this week in Vancouver, the British Columbia city which is also hosting seven matches in the World Cup that Canada will co-host with the United States and Mexico this summer.

The Iranian football federation (FFIRI) president, secretary general and deputy secretary general "returned to Turkey on the first flight due to the inappropriate behaviour of the immigration officials at the airport and the insult to one of the most honourable organs of the Iranian Armed Forces", several outlets reported, without providing further details.

Putin warned US against new military action in Iran in Trump call: Kremlin

Published: April 29, 2026 | 19:56 GMT | by AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin warned his US counterpart against "damaging consequences" of a new military action in Iran, Kremlin aide told reporters Wednesday after the two leaders spoke by phone.

Putin "highlighted the inevitable and extremely damaging consequences not only for Iran and its neighbours, but also for the entire international community, should the US and Israel resort to military action once again," said Kremlin aide Yuri Ushakov.

Putin, Trump held a phone call, discussed Mideast: Kremlin aide

Published: April 29, 2026 | 17:39 GMT | by AFP

Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke by phone with US counterpart Donald Trump, Putin's diplomatic advisor Yuri Ushakov told reporters Wednesday, adding that the two leaders focused primarily on the Middle East war.

"The presidents paid particular attention to the situation regarding Iran and in the Persian Gulf," Ushakov said.

"Vladimir Putin considers Donald Trump's decision to extend the ceasefire with Iran to be the right one, as this should give negotiations a chance and, overall, help to stabilise the situation."

Lebanon president says Israel must 'fully implement ceasefire' before talks

Published: April 29, 2026 | 17:23 GMT | by Web Desk

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun said Wednesday that Israel must "fully implement" the ceasefire between the two countries before beginning direct negotiations, adding that Beirut was waiting for Washington to set a date for the talks.

Israel "must first fully implement the ceasefire in order to move on to negotiations... Israeli attacks cannot continue as they are," Aoun said in a statement shared by the presidency. "We are now waiting for the United States to set a date to begin direct negotiations" with Israel.

Iran war has cost US $25 Billion: Pentagon official

Published: April 29, 2026 | 16:43 GMT | by Web Desk

Pentagon official Jules Hurst said that the total cost of the war against Iran has been $25 billion so far, while answering lawmakers from Congress.

Trump eyeing Iran blockade lasting 'months if needed': White House official

Published: April 29, 2026 | 15:22 GMT | by AFP

The United States could extend its naval blockade of Iran for months more, oil executives were told in a meeting with President Donald Trump, an official said Wednesday.

Participants at a White House meeting, which took place Tuesday and was first reported by Axios, discussed "the steps President Trump has taken to alleviate global oil markets and steps we could take to continue the current blockade for months if needed and minimize impact on American consumers," said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Oil prices jump 5% on fears of prolonged Hormuz blockade

Published: April 29, 2026 | 13:55 GMT | by AFP

Oil prices spiked sharply after a report that US President Donald Trump had told national security officials to prepare for a long blockade of Iran's ports and the Strait of Hormuz.

At around 1335 GMT, a barrel of Brent crude for June delivery was up 5.16 percent at $117, its highest level since the fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran came into effect.

Benchmark US oil contract, West Texas Intermediate, for delivery in the same month, gained 4.85 percent to reach $104.78, following the report in The Wall Street Journal.

German inflation jumps in April as energy costs surge

Published: April 29, 2026 | 12:44 GMT | by AFP

German inflation jumped again in April as the Middle East war triggered a surge in energy costs, official data showed Thursday.

Consumer prices in Europe's biggest economy rose 2.9 percent compared with the same month a year earlier, according to preliminary data from the federal statistics agency Destatis. The figure was up from 2.7 percent in March.

Trump says 'no more Mr Nice Guy' if Iran refuses nuclear deal

Published: April 29, 2026 | 11:19 GMT | by AFP

US President Donald Trump warned early Wednesday of tougher action against Tehran if it refuses to agree to a new nuclear deal.

Posting on social media, Trump said Iran was failing to move forward on a non-nuclear agreement and urged its leadership to act quickly.

“Iran can’t get their act together. They don’t know how to sign a nonnuclear deal. They better get smart soon,” he wrote, adding, “No more Mr Nice Guy!”

Oil prices surge amid reports of Trump extending blockade of Iranian ports

Published: April 29, 2026 | 04:52 GMT | by AFP

Oil prices continue to rise amid reports that the US president has instructed his aides to prepare for an extended blockade of Iranian ports.

The Wall Street Journal reported late on Tuesday that Trump has opted to continue Iran’s naval blockade to squeeze its economy and oil exports.

Brent crude futures for June delivery increased by 52 cents, or 0.47%, reaching $111.78 a barrel by 01:54 GMT. This marks the eighth consecutive day of gains for the benchmark. With the June contract set to expire this Thursday, the more heavily traded July contract stood at $104.84, up 0.4%.

Meanwhile, US West Texas Intermediate (WTI) futures for June climbed 57 cents, or 0.57%, to trade at $100.50 a barrel. This follows a significant 3.7% surge in the prior session, with prices rising in seven of the previous eight trading days.

Trump says King Charles agrees Iran shouldn't have nuclear weapon

Published: April 29, 2026 | 04:01 GMT | by AFP

At the start of Tuesday's White House state dinner, President Trump said King Charles agrees with the US's position that Iran shouldn't have a nuclear weapon.

"Charles agrees with me even more than I do. We're never gonna let that opponent have a nuclear weapon. They know that, and they've known it right now very powerfully," Trump said after alluding to the conflict in the Middle East, without mentioning Iran by name.

The king and Queen Camilla are in the US to mark the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

At the dinner, Trump also lauded the nation's relationship with the UK, saying the two countries share a "nobility of spirit and heroic soul."

Amnesty slams Israel’s destruction of solar panels in southern Lebanon

Published: April 29, 2026 | 01:47 GMT | by AFP

The international human rights organization has said that a video showing Israeli forces destroying solar panels in southern Lebanon is just one example of how civilian infrastructure is being targeted.

In a post on X, Amnesty International said that its previous calls for similar Israeli attacks to be investigated as war crimes have yet to be heeded.

“Israel must stop the unlawful destruction of civilian property across southern Lebanon.”

Iran calls for UNSC to compel Israel to stop attacks on Lebanon

Published: April 29, 2026 | 00:34 GMT | by AFP

Iran’s Ambassador to the United Nations Amir Saeid Iravani has called on the Security Council to “act decisively to compel Israel to fully uphold the ceasefire in Lebanon,” Al Jazeera reported.

The council should also ensure that Israel “immediately halt all attacks against civilian and civilian infrastructure and withdraws all its occupying forces” from Lebanon, Iravani said.

He also decried US and Israeli attacks on Iran, as well as Israel’s actions in Gaza, the occupied West Bank and the occupied Syrian Golan Heights.

Lebanese president denounces killing of medics in Majdal Zoun

Published: April 29, 2026 | 00:01 GMT | by AFP

Lebanese President Joseph Aoun has condemned an Israeli attack that killed three civil defense personnel while they performed a rescue mission for people wounded in an earlier strike, Al Jazeera reported. 

The Israeli air strike on the town of Majdal Zoun killed at least five people, including the three paramedics reportedly trapped under rubble following an initial bombing.

“This attack is an addition to a series of assaults targeting relief and first aid workers, which demonstrates that Israel continues to violate international laws and charters that protect civilians, paramedics, civil defense, and Red Cross personnel,” Aoun said, according to the state-run National News Agency.