US President Donald Trump has said the war with Iran could end within weeks, but Tehran is showing little sign of stepping back. On a day marked by fresh claims, hardening rhetoric and more signals from Washington about a possible exit, the gap between what the US says is coming and what Iran says it believes remains wide.
As the conflict enters its fifth week, the focus is shifting beyond the battlefield. Oil prices, gas costs in the US, the future of the Strait of Hormuz, and the possibility of a diplomatic opening are all now shaping the next phase of the crisis.
Iran war Live updates | April 1, 2026
Houthis claim "third joint missile operation" targeting Israel amid West Asia conflict
The Yemeni Armed Forces have announced the execution of their "third joint operation" in coordination with allied groups in Iran and Lebanon, targeting "sensitive sites" in "south of occupied Palestine."
In a post on X, the official spokesperson of the Yemeni Armed Forces, Yahya Saree, said the operation involved cooperation with "Brother Mujahideen" in Iran and Hezbollah. The statement claimed that a salvo of ballistic missiles was launched at "sensitive sites of the Israeli enemy, south of occupied Palestine."
"Want de-escalation, opening of Strait of Hormuz," says UK PM amid West Asia crisis
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer on Wednesday said that the war in the Middle East was not theirs, and they will not be drawn into the conflict. Starmer in his address said that the war will affect them, but the UK has a plan to emerge as a more secure nation.
"Impact of war will affect us, but we have a plan to emerge from it as a more secure nation. It is not our war and we will not be drawn into conflict. We want de-escalation and opening of Strait of Hormuz," he said.
"UK has brought 35 nations around statement of intent to push for maritime security around gulf. We will host meeting of these nations. We will meet military planners to assess how strati can be made secure. This will not be easy," he said.
About 5,98,000 passengers return to India amid West Asia conflict, informs govt
About 5,98,000 passengers have returned to India amid the developing security situation in West Asia and the Gulf region, a senior government official said on Wednesday. He also shared that the incident caused by debris from an interception in Dubai yesterday, three Indian nationals sustained minor injuries, and the consulate is in close touch with them as it renders all assistance.
The authorities in Dubai confirm that the incident caused by debris from an interception that fell on houses in southern Dubai resulted in minor injuries to two Indian nationals, one Bangladeshi national, and one Sri Lankan national.
While addressing the inter-ministerial briefing on the latest developments in West Asia, Aseem R Mahajan, Additional Secretary (Gulf), Ministry of External Affairs, said that the overall flight situation continues to improve with additional flights operating from the region to various destinations in India.
"Since February 28th, around 5,98,000 passengers have returned from the region to India. Airlines continue to operate limited non-scheduled flights based on operational and safety considerations between the UAE and India," Mahajan noted.
He further added that around 90 flights are expected to operate from the UAE to India today.
‘47-year era of hospitality is over’: Tehran
Azizi said Iran’s approach to maritime access has fundamentally changed amid the conflict.
“The 47-year era of hospitality is over,” he said.
Iran warns Strait of Hormuz will be restricted under ‘new rules’
Ebrahim Azizi, head of Iran’s parliamentary national security commission, said the Strait of Hormuz will remain open, but not for all.
“The Strait of Hormuz will certainly be opened; but not for you! For those who follow the new rules of the Islamic Republic of Iran,” he said.
Australia rolls out fuel security plan amid price surge
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned that “the months ahead may not be easy” as the war drives fuel costs higher.
The government has launched a National Fuel Security Plan to manage supply risks and stabilise the market.
Australia has halved fuel excise, reducing petrol prices by 26 cents per litre for the next three months.
Heavy vehicle road user charges have also been cut to support transport and logistics sectors.
UK maritime agency confirms dual projectile strike
The UK Maritime Trade Operations (UKMTO) said the vessel was hit by two projectiles - one causing a fire that was later extinguished, while another remained unexploded in the engine room.
The source of the attack has not been confirmed.
Fuel tanker hit in Qatari waters, crew safe
QatarEnergy confirmed that a fuel oil tanker, Aqua 1, was struck by a missile in northern Qatari waters.
Authorities said no crew members were injured and there was no environmental damage.
Houthis expand role in conflict with repeated attacks
Yemen’s Houthis confirmed this was their third coordinated strike, following earlier operations involving cruise missiles and drones targeting Israeli positions.
The group said the attacks were part of its “Holy Jihad Battle” and aligned with actions by Iran and Hezbollah.
IDF detects fresh missile launches towards Israel
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said missiles were launched from Iran towards Israeli territory, with air defence systems activated to intercept them.
Precautionary alerts were issued to civilians through mobile notifications in affected areas.
Yemen joins coordinated strikes with Iran, Hezbollah
Yemen’s armed forces said they carried out a “third joint operation” targeting Israeli sites, in coordination with Iran and Hezbollah.
Spokesperson Yahya Saree said ballistic missiles were launched at “sensitive sites” in southern Israel, calling the operation part of a broader campaign supporting allied fronts.
NATO role questioned amid conflict
Rubio also raised concerns about NATO’s role, suggesting the alliance could become a “one-way street” if US forces cannot use European bases for operations.
He said the US may reassess the value of NATO after the conflict.
Backchannel talks ongoing, direct meeting possible
Rubio confirmed that messages are being exchanged and that a direct meeting between US and Iranian officials remains a possibility.
“We’re always going to be open to that,” he said.
Rubio says US open to talks but warns against ‘delay tactics’
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Washington remains open to negotiations with Iran.
However, he warned that the US will not allow “fake negotiations” to be used as a delay tactic.
IRGC claims strikes on Gulf industrial targets
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted industrial facilities in the UAE and Bahrain, including aluminium plants, alleging links to US defence production.
The strikes were described as retaliation for attacks on Iranian infrastructure.
UAE reports large-scale interceptions of Iranian attacks
The UAE said its air defence systems intercepted 16 ballistic missiles and 42 drones in recent attacks.
Since the start of the conflict, it reported engaging over 400 missiles and nearly 2,000 UAVs launched from Iran.
UAE restricts entry for Iranian nationals
The United Arab Emirates has barred Iranian nationals from entering or transiting through the country, according to airline announcements.
An exception has been made for those holding UAE “Golden Visas”.
Israeli forces target Hamas naval operative
The IDF also said it eliminated Ibrahim al-Khaldi, described as a Hamas naval operative involved in planning maritime attacks.
The strike was reported in the Nuseirat area.
IDF claims key Quds Force commander eliminated
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it killed Mahdi Vafaei, a senior figure in the Quds Force’s Lebanon Corps.
According to the IDF, he was responsible for underground infrastructure projects across Lebanon and Syria linked to Hezbollah and allied groups.
Hormuz disruption may persist despite US withdrawal
The report cautioned that even if the US steps back, key issues would remain unresolved, including reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring confidence in global energy shipping.
It described the strait as a “pricing mechanism for the global economy”, with around 20 per cent of oil flows passing through it.
Report warns US exit may not mean de-escalation
A geopolitical briefing cited by Ask Private Wealth warned that a US military pullback could actually worsen instability.
“A US pullback would not necessarily mark the end of the crisis… it could mean a more regional, more fragmented phase,” the report said.
US mayor slams $23 billion war cost amid affordability crisis
New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has criticised the financial cost of the war, saying it should be opposed “on every single ground”.
He said the conflict has already cost USD 23 billion and argued the money could instead support healthcare, education or student debt relief, warning that past US “regime change wars” have had “disastrous consequences”.
CENTCOM confirms precision strikes on underground targets
The United States Central Command said US forces carried out precision strikes on underground military facilities in Iran.
The operation aimed to degrade Tehran’s ability to project power beyond its borders.
Israeli military claims senior leadership hits inside Iran
The IDF said operations included strikes deep into Tehran and the elimination of senior Iranian leadership figures.
“In just 40 seconds, about 40 senior officials… were eliminated,” the spokesperson said, describing rapid escalation in the campaign.
IDF claims over 4,000 targets hit in joint campaign
The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said more than 4,000 targets and 10,000 “terror components” have been struck in coordination with US forces.
IDF spokesperson Brigadier General Effie Defrin said over 800 sorties were carried out, with around 16,000 munitions dropped across Iran.
US military systems, Gulf bases targeted
Iran said it destroyed a US counter-drone system linked to the Fifth Fleet near Bahrain, and hit two early warning radar systems at a US base in Kuwait.
Tehran warned that the Strait of Hormuz remains firmly under its control, adding that “the smallest movement of enemies” would trigger missile and drone strikes.
US military systems, Gulf bases targeted
Iran said it destroyed a US counter-drone system linked to the Fifth Fleet near Bahrain, and hit two early warning radar systems at a US base in Kuwait.
Tehran warned that the Strait of Hormuz remains firmly under its control, adding that “the smallest movement of enemies” would trigger missile and drone strikes.
IRGC launches fresh wave of strikes across Gulf
Iran’s Islamic Revolution Guards Corps (IRGC) Navy said it carried out four operations targeting US and Israeli assets as part of the 88th wave of “Operation True Promise 4”.
According to Press TV, the strikes included a ballistic missile hit on an Israeli container ship, Express Halfong, in the Persian Gulf, and drone attacks on a US Marines position along the UAE coast.
Iran leader backs ‘resistance’ against US, Israel
Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei reaffirmed support for Hezbollah and resistance groups.
He praised “steadfastness” against what he called the Muslim world’s “most stubborn enemies.”
US says it is insulated, warns Asia may suffer
US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the US is largely shielded from Hormuz disruptions due to domestic sourcing.
However, he warned that Asian economies could face tighter supplies and economic pressure.
Iran hits back over US economic strain
Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf pointed to rising US fuel costs, citing reports of Americans skipping meals due to expenses.
He said the situation reflects leadership choices prioritising foreign policy over domestic concerns.
Netanyahu says Iran being ‘systematically crushed’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said joint operations with the US are dismantling Iran’s capabilities.
“We are systematically crushing the regime,” he said, adding Iran is “weaker than ever.”
Pope urges Trump to find ‘off-ramp’
Pope Leo XIV called on Trump to seek a path to end the conflict.
“Hopefully, he’s looking for an off-ramp… a way to decrease the amount of violence,” the Pope said.
Televised address scheduled amid rising pressure
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Trump will address the nation on Thursday with an update on the conflict.
The announcement comes amid reports of growing domestic disapproval of the war.
Trump claims Iran ‘set back 15–20 years’
Trump said US-Israeli strikes have dismantled Iran’s military capacity.
“It will take 15 to 20 years for them to rebuild,” he claimed, adding Iran now has “no navy, no air force… no leaders.”
Iran sets conditions for ending war
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Tehran is ready to end hostilities, but only with guarantees against future attacks.
He called for an immediate halt to strikes and accused the EU of failing to uphold international law.
White House defends timing of strikes
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the attack was necessary to stop Iran from shielding its nuclear programme.
“We were on the verge of an Iran that had so many missiles and drones that no one could do anything about their nuclear weapons programme,” he said.
US plans possible special ops for nuclear material
Reports suggest Washington is considering deploying elite forces to secure Iran’s enriched uranium.
The potential operation would involve deep insertion into Iranian territory, exposing troops to missile and drone threats.
Stock markets rally on exit signals
US markets surged after reports suggested Trump is open to ending the war even without reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump attributed the rally to a “safe country” and claimed regime change in Iran has boosted investor confidence.
US not ready to withdraw forces yet
Despite talk of winding down, Trump clarified he is “not quite yet” ready to pull out US military assets.
“At some point I will… but countries have to come in and take care of it,” he said.
Trump: US won’t police Hormuz forever
Trump reiterated that the US does not intend to take long-term responsibility for securing the Strait.
“If they want oil… let them come and take it,” he said, criticising allies for not stepping up.
Strait of Hormuz ‘closed only for enemies’
Iran clarified that the Strait of Hormuz remains restricted only for countries at war with it.
“Only for the ships of those who are at war with us, this strait is closed,” Araghchi said.
He added that Iran has allowed safe passage for friendly nations despite rising security concerns.
Tehran warns it is ready for ground war
Araghchi said Iran is fully prepared for any US ground operation, calling such a move a “mistake.”
“We are waiting for them… there will be a lot of strength waiting,” he said, adding Iran can defend itself “even better” in a land conflict.
Iran rejects talks, says ‘trust level is at zero’
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi dismissed the possibility of meaningful negotiations with Washington.
“The trust level is at zero… we have never had a good experience from negotiations,” he told Al Jazeera.
He cited past deals and recent talks that ended in US attacks as the reason for the breakdown.
Trump says war could end in ‘2–3 weeks’
Trump suggested the conflict may conclude within weeks, with a faster resolution possible if a deal is reached.
“It’s possible that we’ll have a deal… but in a fairly short period of time, we’ll be finished,” he said.
He described the current Iranian leadership as “much more reasonable.”
White House bets on ‘short-term disruption’
The administration has framed rising fuel costs as temporary, driven by crude oil spikes and supply disruptions linked to the war.
Market volatility has pushed prices to levels last seen after the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
Trump links war exit to falling gas prices
Donald Trump said US fuel prices would “come tumbling down” once military operations in Iran end.
“All I have to do is leave Iran… and we’ll be doing that very soon,” he said from the Oval Office.
US petrol prices have crossed USD 4 per gallon for the first time since 2022, with the national average at USD 4.02, up by over USD 1 since the conflict began on February 28.