AJ
Welcome to the second part of the daily recap in the US/Israel Iran War, which includes latest headlines, articles and news from around the world, including Jewish, Arabic, Persian and Farsi sources, helping to build the big picture of what happened over the previous 24 hours until midnight on April 4 (Israel time).
General News:
US Air Force were carrying out a large airlift to Europe and the Middle East on Saturday, with several C-5, C-17 and KC-135 aircraft spotted crossing the Atlantic on Flightradar24.
President Donald Trump took to Truth Social in the early afternoon, posting: “Remember when I gave Iran ten days to make a deal or open up the Strait of Hormuz? Time is running out – 48 hours before hell will reign down on them. Glory be to God.”
Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Mohammad Ghalibaf posted to X: “This war is Israel’s war and it has caused global insecurities and losses. The main sources of instability in the region must be eliminated, and security should be established without the US and Israel.”
An Iranian military official told Fars News Agency: “We targeted US leaders and officers on Bubiyan Island in Kuwait with missiles and drones.”
US and Israeli airstrikes targeted six petrochemical plants in Iran’s southwestern Kuzhestan province on Saturday morning, leaving at least five wounded, according to initial reports, as the strikes hit facilities in eastern and western Mahshahr, including Fajr 1, Fajr 2, Rejal, Abu Ali, Bandar Emam and Amir Kabir, while the Shalamchech border crossing with Iraq was also severely damaged, but all employees had been evacuated and the electricity to the region had been cut off.
Head of Iran’s parliamentary civil engineering commission said that the attacks on infrastructure showed ‘the enemy’s weakness,” and that Iranian engineers can rebuild damaged sites better than before, while warning neighbouring countries whose territory is used to attack Iran that they will face legitimate strikes on their own infrastructure, including industries and bridges.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said that Hamideh Soleimani Afshar was an outspoken supporter of the Iranian regime who celebrated attacks on Americans and referred to the US as the ‘Great Satan,’ adding that the Trump Administration would not allow their country to become a home for foreign nationals who support anti-American terrorist regimes, however, Fars News Agency and other Iranian media later claimed there was no affiliation to the assassinated IRGC Quds Force Commander General Qassem Soleimani, as previously speculated.
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni assured Qatar’s Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani that Italy would contribute to restoring Qatari energy infrastructure damaged by Iranian bombing, noting that Qatar’s natural gas production is critical to global energy security, while both reaffirmed the necessity to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
Austrian Foreign Minister Beate Meinl-Reisinger said she stressed to her Iranian counterpart Abbas Araghchi the need to halt strikes on neighbouring countries and restore freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, while also voicing Austria’s support for a new deal on Iran’s nuclear programme and full cooperation with the IAEA, as the two foreign ministers discussed the regional and international developments.
FM Araghchi also held a phone call with Turkey’s Foreign Minister in order to discuss regional developments.
Egypt’s FM Badr Abdel-Aati held a phone call with Araghchi in which they also discussed and exchanged views on the latest international and regional developments.
Clashes broke out with Baloch separatists in Sistan and Baluchestan province, eastern Iran, which led to multiple Iranian IRGC members and a Basij commander being killed.
Israel published footage which showed a precise airstrike had been carried out on an Iranian ballistic missile launcher truck in Tabriz, northwest Iran.
Senator Lindsey Graham took to social media following a conversation with President Trump in which Graham supported the ultimatum to the Iranian regime to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, noting that a massive military operation awaited Iran if they chose poorly: “After speaking with President Trump this morning, I am completely convinced he will use overwhelming military force against the regime if they continue to impede the Strait of Hormuz and refuse a diplomatic solution to achieve our military objectives. If it is not clear to Iran and others by now that President Trump means what he says then I don’t know when it will ever be – choose wisely.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky was accompanied by a delegation as he met Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Istanbul, Turkey.
Footage released by Iran of the precision strikes on the B1 bridge in Karaj on April 2 has been released, showing the total destruction of the bridge, in an attack that left 13 Civilians dead and more than 90 others injured. The video captures multiple GBU-31 (2,000-pound precision-guided bombs) striking simultaneously, in an immense, concentrated blast, with several impacts at once.
Iran’s state media claimed that fisherman had found a downed US MQ-9 Reaper drone near Bushehr, but OSINT analysts say its almost certainly not an MQ-9, noting that the debris appeared to match the Chinese-made Wing Loong II, likely operated by regional states such as Saudi Arabia or the UAE, and was at least the second type of this drone which had been found by Iranian Forces.
FM Araghchi took to X saying that Iran’s position was being misrepresented by US media in relation to the ongoing mediation efforts, stating they were deeply grateful to Pakistan for its efforts and that they had never refused to go to Islamabad, but what Iran cares about most are the terms of a conclusive and lasting end to the illegal war that has been imposed on the country.
Mediators from Pakistan, Turkey and Egypt are still working on a compromise to bring the US and Iran back to the negotiating table, regional officials told the AP, stating that their plan includes a cessation of hostilities for a certain period to allow for a diplomatic settlement, potentially in Pakistan, but while FM Araghchi reiterated Tehran’s willingness to restart negotiations, he said Iran seeks a conclusive and lasting end to the conflict. Officials stated later that negotiations remained sensitive and unresolved, with key terms yet to be finalised as efforts continue behind closed doors.
Channel 13 Israel reported that the US had informed Tel Aviv the negotiations with Iran had effectively collapsed, so Israel was preparing to expand strikes, including on Iranian energy infrastructure, after receiving the green light from Washington, noting that additional targets were approved by Netanyahu in recent discussions, while the Israeli Broadcasting Authority indicated the situation is moving toward a broader escalation unless last-minute diplomatic efforts succeed in reversing the course.
Former US Counterterrorism Director Joe Kent called on the US to restrain Israel and negotiate with Iran: “A true display of American strength would be not taking the escalation bait. Don’t double down on failure by committing ground troops or increasing airstrikes. Show the world we can still lead by restraining Israel and negotiating with Iran to open Hormuz, restoring order is power.”
Spokesperson for the Central Headquarters of Khatam al-Anbiya, Ebrahim Zolfaqari, announced that Iraq was exempt from any restrictions that had been imposed on the Strait of Hormuz, adding that the struggle against America is worthy of respect, appreciation and admiration.
Tankers and ships transiting through the Strait of Hormuz are continuing as diplomatic and military efforts to reopen the waterway take shape, as France recently pressed Bahrain to soften their language of a draft UN Security Council resolution on Hormuz, but a UN discussion scheduled for Friday was postponed and is likely to take place early next week.
Iran also authorised the transit of ships carrying essential goods and humanitarian aid through the Strait of Hormuz to ports in Iran or in the Sea of Oman, as the Ministry of Agriculture requested the Ports and Maritime Association to facilitate passage for vessels transporting basic commodities and livestock feed, in line with government and armed forces approval.
A total of 13 ships transited the Strait between Friday and Saturday, though volumes remain far below pre-war levels, when roughly a fifth of global oil and gas shipments passed through daily, reported Bloomberg, stating that recent crossings included a French container ship and a Japanese-owned LNG tanker, suggesting limited confidence is returning, though it remained unclear whether access was secured through formal diplomacy or private negotiations, however, despite the uptick, disruptions persist, with vessels often disabling tracking systems in high-risk areas, making real-time data less reliable.
Iranian MP Hassan Gheshghavi said the region’s future will be shaped by Iran through the strategic management of the Strait of Hormuz, stating that Iran will exercise sovereignty over the Strait and that the US and Israel lack the power to confront the Iranian forces, adding that a new legal regime for Hormuz is being drafted by parliament based on the Supreme Leader’s guidance.
Bloomberg reported the US were deploying most of their long-range JASSM-ER stealth missiles for the Iran war, pulling them from global supplies, noting that there was only around 425 available worldwide out of 2,300 pre-war, adding that more than 1,000 missiles had been used during the first month, reducing reserves meant for other conflicts, while replacing the stocks could take years.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu walked the streets of Israel on Saturday evening while making a statement, in which Netanyahu claimed 70% of Iran’s steel production capacity had been destroyed due to Israeli attacks, and they were now targeting the petrochemical industry as they continued to ‘crush Iran.’
The Israeli Air Force, acting on military intelligence, struck a petrochemical complex in Mahshahr, southwestern Iran, which is responsible for producing chemical weapons for the ‘regime’s weapons,’ noting the site was one of two central facilities for manufacturing materials used in explosives, ballistic missiles and other arms, claiming the damage to the infrastructure would disrupt Iran’s ability to produce weapons designed to target Israel and other Middle Eastern countries, adding that the strike was part of a campaign to deepen the impact on Iran’s military foundations. The governor of Khorramshahr later reported the Shalamcheh crossing had been reopened to cross-border traffic. Reports from Iranian media claimed that at least 5 people were killed and 160 people injured as a result of the attacks on Iran’s Mahshahr Special Petrochemical Zone on Saturday, reported Naya.
French Defence Minister Catherine Vautrin stated France doesn’t deliver weapons to Israel, saying that Paris authorises on a case-by-case basis the sale of components for defensive systems that protect civilians, such as the Iron Dome, and for equipment strictly intended for re-export, some of which is needed for French forces.
Iran’s Army said its drones struck targets at Israel’s Ben Gurion Airport, including the new control tower, the Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 control towers, navigation systems, and airport antennas and radars, in an operation aimed to disrupt military air traffic control, prevent the direction of US and Israeli fighter jets, and blind surveillance and electronic warfare systems, as the army vowed revenge for ‘Iranian martyrs’ and will continue to attack without a pause.
Head of the investment committee of Iran’s Chamber of Commerce Samad Hassanzadeh said the world has not yet moved past oil, warning that Saudi Arabia’s pipeline to the Red Sea, which carries around seven million barrels of oil per day, could be halted by striking just one pumping station, adding that if Europe had its own oil the price per barrel would reach $500, while also urging that any tolls for Hormuz should be collected in Iranian rials, not yuan, to strengthen the national currency.
Air BP Italia has become the latest company to ration fuel supply at several major airports in Italy until April 9, 2026, and following these restrictions, fuel allocation is being prioritised mainly for medical and health flights, government flights, and long-haul flights, meaning short-haul and general commercial flights may face severe reductions, delays, or even cancellations, reported Fars News.
Yemen’s Houthi security services have arrested a number of individuals allegedly working directly with Israeli intelligence, including the military intelligence branch (Aman), the Mossad and other Israeli entities, noting the detainees allegedly carried out espionage activities by providing military and security information, coordinates of military and security sites, and details on economic infrastructure, adding that the suspects used espionage programmes and encrypted communication tools to share the information.
Former advisor to Obama, Wali Nasr, said that Trump is actually wanting to end the war, but doesn’t know how, saying: “We are still unsure whether he will send his troops to Iran, declare victory or exit, or reach some kind of deal – the only thing we know is that in this conflict, he has given Iran the upper hand, while at the same time damaging the global economy and destroying the most important alliances for the United States.
An Israeli source told Kan News that at least another week of intense fighting with Iran lies ahead, as ceasefire talks between Washington and Tehran have reached a deadlock, noting the US was reportedly planning to strike Iranian national infrastructure as President Trump’s 48-hour ultimatum deadline approached.
Israel’s Ministry of Health reported that since the beginning of the war, 6,771 people had been injured, 2 of whom were in a critical condition, and 15 in a serious condition, reported Naya. 113 people were injured and transported to hospital between Friday and Saturday, reported Al Jazeera.
The Iranian Red Crescent announced that since the beginning of the war, four Iranian Red Crescent medics had been killed, 18 relief workers and 24 medical staff injured, while a total of 322 health centres, 763 schools and 18 universities had suffered damage.
President Masoud Pezeshkian stated on X that he was grateful to the devoted volunteers and rescuers of the Red Crescent who have wholeheartedly been present in the field of service, and with their quick action, bravery, empathy, self-sacrifice, and martyrdom, have created admirable moments – the field of defending dear Iran will never be empty of brave women and men.
Missing Pilot:
Wall Street Journal claimed they were told by an Israeli official: “We have halted our strikes in the area where the US aircraft was shot down over Iran yesterday, and we continue to assist the US in locating the missing pilot.”
IRGC thanked the locals who were helping in the search for the missing pilot: “We thank the tribes in Kohgiluyeh and Boyer-Ahmad, and the Bakhtiari for each independently shooting down two Black Hawk Helicopters yesterday.”
Two US HC-130J Combat King II rescue tankers departed Stuttgart Army Airfield and were heading towards the Middle East on Saturday afternoon, strongly indicating at the time that the search and rescue operations for the missing F-15E crew member was still active and expanding, adding that the HC-130J is specifically used to support combat S&R operations, especially refuelling HH-60/Pave Hawk rescue helicopters in flight.
French newspaper Le Monde said the downing of a fighter jet in Iran and the start of a purge of senior military commanders have put the US in a chaotic situation, stating that Washington was facing a ‘command crisis’ amid one of the most sensitive wars of the century, which could have irreparable consequences for the security of American soldiers in the region.
Iran shooting down two American military jets marks an exceedingly rare assault for the US that hasn’t happened in more than 20 years and shows the Islamic Republic’s continued ability to hit back despite President Trump asserting it has been ‘completely decimated,’ reported the AP, stating the last time a US warplane was shot down by enemy fire in combat was an A-10 Thunderbolt II during the 2003 US invasion of Iraq, according to retired Air Force Brigadier General Houston Cantwell, a former F-16 fighter pilot.
Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant:
IAEA confirmed that the Bushehr nuclear power plant was struck by a projectile, marking the fourth such incident near the facility since the start of the war. Iranian authorities said one security staff member had been killed and nearby structures sustained minor damage from the shockwaves, while no increases in radiation levels were detected and operations at the plant were unaffected. IAEA Director General Rafael Grossi warned against attacks in the vicinity of nuclear facilities, citing the serious risks they pose to nuclear safety.
Russia has already begun evacuating 198 of its citizens who work at the nuclear power plant, an operation in which Russia had reportedly asked Israel and the US for a ceasefire, while giving pre-planned evacuation routes to them so that the citizens can exit the country safely.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said: “Remember the outrage in the West over the fighting near the nuclear power plant in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine? Israel and the US have bombed our facility in Bushehr already four times. Radioactive fallout will wipe out life in the capitals of the Gulf states, not Tehran. The attacks on our petrochemical facilities also reflects the real objectives.”
Rosatom Chief Likhachev said that the events around the Bushehr plant were developing according to an undesirable forecast after US and Israeli strikes on Saturday, leaving the Chief no choice but to inform Russian President Vladimir Putin, and later stated that Putin had been informed of the incident.
Senior IDF officials were coordinating with Russian counterparts to facilitate the evacuation of Russian experts from Iran’s Bushehr Plant, providing a form of ‘safe passage,’ according to Kan News, noting the evacuation began on Saturday following another attack in the vicinity of the reactor.
The Security Council and the Atomic Energy Agency have not taken measures to prevent attacks on nuclear facilities and have refrained from condemning the attacks, reported FM Araghchi, who sent a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and members of the Security Council about the attacks on the nuclear facilities.
Attacks:
Two cluster submunitions from an Iranian ballistic missile struck near the IDF’s Kirya headquarters in Tel Aviv on Saturday morning, causing damage to the parking lot next to the base, as well as a nearby school, but no injuries reported.
A rise in temperature was detected at Dubai International Airport on NASA Firms on Saturday morning, indicating a possible strike at the airport, Naya reported, later adding that a source reported the attack on the airport was targeting private aircraft belonging to the ruling families in Dubai.
Smoke was seen rising in Ramat Gan on Saturday afternoon following a cluster munition impact which hit in at least two parts of the city, as five impact sites were confirmed in central Israel, but no reports of any casualties, and other impact sites were recorded in Petah Tikva, according to AMK Mapping.
Moments before an explosion were captured in central Israel later in the evening, as smoke was seen rising in Givatayim following strikes with cluster munitions, reported Resistance Trench.
An Iranian missile also fell near Hadassah Hospital in Al-Isawiyah, east of Jerusalem, reported Resistance Trench, while TabzLive reported that power outages had occurred in Krayot, northern Israel, following a barrage from Hezbollah, according to Israel Hayom.
Night time attacks came from all sides, including Yemen, where Israel Channel 12 reported that a ballsitic missile launched by the Houthi’s was intercepted, while other channels reported that the missile fell in an open area, and the Houthis claimed the missile hit Lod Air Base in Israel.
Three Iranian ballistic missiles reportedly breached through Israeli air defences and impacted at midnight on Friday night/Saturday morning, two of which were equipped with a cluster warhead, according to later updates from Israeli Army Radio.
Widespread fires engulfed the Bazarkan oil field in Maysan province, southern Iraq, reported Naya, stating that the site was targeted by a swarm of drones, and the British company Baker Hughes, which operates within the field had also been targeted in the attack, while ongoing attacks by suicide drones was reportedly targeting the American base and the Headquarters of the Kurdish-Iranian opposition in Erbil.
Strikes were also reported by Rerum Novarum in Iran by Israel or US forces targeting both Karaj and Isfahan, Iran.
