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The United States has halted shipments of nearly $500 million in US banknotes to Iraq and paused some security cooperation programs, pressuring Baghdad to curb Iran-aligned militias. The move follows a series of attacks on US facilities and is part of a broader effort to reduce Iranian influence, as reported by multiple outlets citing The Wall Street Journal.
Iran's Foreign Ministry has condemned the UAE's arrest of 27 people accused of plotting terrorist acts, calling the charges 'baseless pretexts.' The UAE says the cell was linked to Iran's Velayat-e Faqih doctrine and aimed to recruit Emirati youth.
Mixed signals from Tehran and new tensions between US and Iranian officials have cast doubt over a second round of direct negotiations in Islamabad. Iran says it has yet to decide whether to attend, while US officials have announced a delegation is headed to Pakistan, creating a fraught atmosphere around the fragile ceasefire.
Twelve Muslim-majority countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Saudi Arabia, have jointly condemned Israel's decision to appoint a non-resident ambassador to Somaliland, calling it a violation of Somalia's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The joint statement, issued Saturday, warns the move could set a dangerous precedent and destabilize the Horn of Africa. Israel appointed Michael Lotem as its first ambassador to the breakaway region, a step that has drawn regional and international reactions.
Somaliland's government has pushed back against a joint statement by Arab and Muslim states condemning Israel's decision to send a diplomatic envoy, reaffirming its sovereignty and dismissing criticisms as unfounded. The response underscores the region's ongoing dispute with Somalia over its independence claims.
Ahmed Shihab-Eldin, a US-Kuwaiti journalist, has been detained in Kuwait for over six weeks, charged with spreading false information and harming national security. His arrest, linked to his sharing of publicly available war footage, has drawn international concern amid a broader tightening of censorship in the Gulf.
As day 41 of the Middle East war closes, Iran threatens retaliation for Israeli strikes on Lebanon amid confusion over the ceasefire's scope. The US blockade of the Strait of Hormuz is drawing international criticism, while talks between Israel and Lebanon begin in Washington.
US President Donald Trump has escalated threats against Iran, warning he will destroy all power plants and bridges if Tehran rejects Washington's terms. He also announced a complete naval blockade and legal prosecution for oil trade, while Vice President JD Vance hinted at new military tools. Trump claims a deal could be reached by April 7 but insists Iran must capitulate.
The US Treasury Department has announced a new operation, 'Economic Fury,' targeting Iran-backed militias in Iraq, designating seven commanders as terrorist leaders. This coincides with a $10 million reward from the State Department for information on Kataib Hezbollah leader Ahmad al-Hamidawi, who is linked to attacks on US personnel and the kidnapping of US citizens.
As the conflict between Iran and Israel and the US winds down, assessments diverge sharply. Jerusalem Post analysts frame the campaign as a strategic success that degraded Iran's nuclear and missile programs, while Al Jazeera argues the war expanded the conflict and imposed heavy costs on Washington.
President Donald Trump has said a deal with Iran could be reached within a day or two, with talks possibly resuming over the weekend. Reports from BBC and TASS highlight both optimism and lingering threats of military action if negotiations fail.
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer announced that Britain and France will lead a multinational mission to protect freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, following a Paris summit with 49 countries. The mission, described as strictly peaceful and defensive, aims to reassure commercial shipping and support mine clearance. Starmer also called for the unconditional reopening of the Strait, which Iran has partially closed to ships affiliated with the US, Israel, and their supporters.
Hicham Harb, a 72-year-old suspect in the 1982 attack on a Jewish restaurant in Paris that killed six people, was extradited by the Palestinian Authority and detained in France. He faces charges of coordinating the attack, and French authorities have linked the extradition to recent judicial cooperation following France's recognition of Palestinian statehood.
Iran's deputy foreign minister, Saeed Khatibzadeh, stated that Tehran does not accept temporary ceasefire agreements with the US, warning they would lead to a resumption of hostilities. He spoke at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, where he also indicated that no date has been set for the next round of Iran–US talks following the failure of initial negotiations.
South Korea is taking extensive measures to secure alternative naphtha supplies as the U.S.-Iran conflict disrupts Middle East shipments. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with industry officials, the U.S. emerged as the largest naphtha exporter to South Korea, and financial support has been extended to key producers like Yeochun NCC.
Iranian officials have issued new threats against US naval forces in the Persian Gulf while diplomatic talks in Islamabad remain deadlocked. The negotiations, held on April 11, failed to produce a long-term agreement, with both sides citing multiple disagreements. Meanwhile, Tehran continues to assert its military capabilities and maintains a hardline stance.
The European Commission has cautioned member states that continued Middle East tensions could trigger a prolonged energy supply shock, with potential fuel rationing and a 14 billion euro rise in import bills. Officials urge preparedness for worst-case scenarios, including impacts on gas storage and fertilizer supplies.
According to the Iran War Cost Tracker, the US has spent over $51.2 billion in 46 days of military operations against Iran. The conflict has also caused economic losses in Saudi Arabia and raised concerns about oil prices, while officials and experts question the effectiveness of the campaign.
Iran is demanding compensation for damages from the US, Israel, and regional countries that supported them, citing an estimated $270bn in losses. The demand comes as Tehran prepares for further negotiations with Washington, following a two-week ceasefire and talks in Pakistan.
More than 20 commercial vessels transited the Strait of Hormuz in a single day, according to US officials cited by The Wall Street Journal, while Iranian authorities denied reports that US Navy ships had passed through without approval. The developments come amid ongoing US-Iran conflict and a selective blockade of the strategic waterway.