The conflict between the US-Israel coalition and Iran is intensifying on Saturday, April 4, with Washington proposing a record defence budget and Tehran issuing fresh warnings against US-linked assets.
Fresh developments through the day are expected to centre on military action, diplomatic standoffs and tensions around key shipping routes, with no indication yet of a ceasefire in the war that began on February 28.
Iran war news UPDATES
Slain Iranian general Soleimani's niece, her daughter arrested in US
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio revoked the green cards of foreign nationals with links to the Iranian regime, the State Department said in an official statement.
According to the statement, the niece and grandniece of deceased Qassem Soleimani were arrested by federal agents following Rubio’s termination of their lawful permanent resident (LPR) status.
Hamideh Soleimani Afshar and her daughter are now in US custody. It is alleged that, while living in the United States, they promoted Iranian regimpr's propaganda, celebrated attacks against American soldiers and military facilities in the Middle East, and praised the new Iranian Supreme Leader.
Iran FM accuses West of hypocrisy as Bushehr Nuclear plant targeted again by US, Israel
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday slammed what he termed as Western 'double standards' over attacks on the Islamic Republic's Bushehr Nuclear power plant for the fourth time since the beginning of the conflict in West Asia, drawing comparisons in the difference in reactions by the West to hostilities near Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant amid the Ukraine-Russia war.
"Remember the Western outrage about hostilities near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine? Israel-U.S. have bombed our Bushehr plant four times now. Radioactive fallout will end life in GCC capitals, not Tehran. Attacks on our petrochemicals also convey real objectives," he stated.
Iran FM accuses West of hypocrisy as Bushehr Nuclear plant targeted again by US, Israel
Iran's Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi on Saturday slammed what he termed as Western 'double standards' over attacks on the Islamic Republic's Bushehr Nuclear power plant for the fourth time since the beginning of the conflict in West Asia, drawing comparisons in the difference in reactions by the West to hostilities near Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant amid the Ukraine-Russia war.
"Remember the Western outrage about hostilities near Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine? Israel-U.S. have bombed our Bushehr plant four times now. Radioactive fallout will end life in GCC capitals, not Tehran. Attacks on our petrochemicals also convey real objectives," he stated.
Iranian FM signals openness to talks with US, says Tehran focused on terms for lasting end to war
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Saturday signalled that Tehran is open to negotiating a peace deal with the United States, asserting that Iran’s position has been “misrepresented by US media.”
In a post on X, Araghchi thanked Pakistan for its diplomatic efforts and clarified that Iran had never refused to go to Islamabad.
“What we care about are the terms of a conclusive and lasting end to the illegal war imposed on us,” he added.
https://twitter.com/araghchi/status/2040377895953047771
UN seen at ‘impasse’ as global response stalls
The expert also questioned the effectiveness of the United Nations in resolving the crisis, citing divisions among major powers.
“The UN cannot deliver anything other than statements,” he said, pointing to a lack of consensus at the Security Council.
Hormuz tensions remain key concern for India
Sachdev said the Strait of Hormuz remains a critical concern for India, both economically and in terms of maritime safety.
He stressed that dialogue remains the only viable path forward, warning that further escalation could trigger retaliatory strikes across the Gulf.
Oil shipment rerouting reflects ‘free market’, says expert
Foreign affairs expert Robinder Sachdev said the mid-route diversion of an Iranian oil shipment, reportedly meant for India, reflects market dynamics rather than geopolitical disruption.
“I don’t see it as anything surprising… it’s the free market playing out,” he said, pointing to pricing and logistics factors.
Over 6 lakh passengers return to India amid West Asia tensions
Indian authorities said more than 6.24 lakh passengers have travelled from the Gulf region to India since the conflict began on February 28.
Officials added that around 90 flights are operating between the UAE and India, though services remain limited due to security concerns.
India evacuates fishermen from Iran via Armenia
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar thanked Armenia for facilitating the evacuation of Indian fishermen from Iran amid the ongoing conflict.
The evacuation is part of a larger operation that has already brought over 1,200 Indian nationals out of Iran, with many routed through Armenia and Azerbaijan.
Aircraft losses remain central as search for pilot continues
The downing of the US F-15E continues to remain a key flashpoint, with one crew member rescued and the second still unaccounted for.
Iran has also claimed it shot down a US A-10 aircraft near the Strait of Hormuz, though the claim remains unverified.
Unverified claim of Iranian strike on US helicopter in Kuwait
Iranian state media released unverified images claiming a US CH-47 helicopter in Kuwait was targeted during operations linked to the downed F-15E jet.
Another Iranian outlet said the helicopter was part of a mission searching for the missing US pilot. There has been no confirmation from the US side.
New incident in Dubai as debris hits second building
Authorities in Dubai confirmed another incident of debris from aerial interception falling onto a building, this time in Dubai Internet City.
No injuries were reported. The incident follows a similar earlier event in Dubai Marina, underlining how the conflict is spilling into civilian zones.
Strikes hit Iran’s defence industry, slowing weapons rebuild
The same assessment said sustained US-Israel strikes have weakened Iran’s ability to rebuild missile and drone stockpiles.
Targeting of defence industrial sites is expected to slow long-term recovery, even as Iran continues to rely on existing stockpiles for attacks.
US think tank says Iran missile force ‘significantly degraded’
A US-based think tank, the Institute for the Study of War, said a large part of Iran’s ballistic missile capability is now “combat-ineffective”.
The report noted that while around 50 per cent of launchers remain “intact”, many cannot carry out missions. It added that Iran’s medium-range missile force has been “significantly degraded”, while short-range systems continue to fire at a steady pace.
It also flagged declining missile activity since March 20 and pointed to morale, recruitment and retention issues within Iranian forces.
Aircraft losses remain flashpoint as tensions intensify
The F-15E downing, with one crew member rescued and another still missing, continues to drive tensions.
Iran has also claimed it shot down a US A-10 aircraft near the Strait of Hormuz, though this remains unverified.
Iranian parliament speaker mocks US after aircraft downing
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf mocked US efforts to locate a missing pilot after the F-15E jet was downed.
“From regime change to ‘can anyone find our pilots?’… absolute geniuses,” he wrote, in a pointed political jab.
Hormuz control tightening as pressure on global trade grows
Awwad’s remarks align with Iran’s broader signalling that it is willing to use maritime routes as leverage.
Tehran has already indicated the possibility of expanding pressure to other chokepoints like the Bab el-Mandeb Strait, raising concerns over global supply chains.
Expert says US, Israel failed to break Iran internally
Foreign affairs expert Waiel Awwad said US and Israeli actions have not weakened Iran domestically despite strikes on leadership and infrastructure.
He added that Iran now effectively controls passage through the Strait of Hormuz, with any vessel linked to US allies requiring Tehran’s approval.
Debris from aerial interception hits building in Dubai Marina
Authorities in Dubai confirmed that debris from an aerial interception struck a building facade in the Dubai Marina area.
No injuries or fire were reported, but the incident highlights how the conflict is spilling into civilian zones beyond primary battlefields.
Iran-backed militia launch 19 attacks on US bases in Iraq and region
The Islamic Resistance, an umbrella group of Iran-backed militias, carried out 19 drone and missile attacks targeting US bases in Iraq and across the region on Friday, according to Al Jazeera.
An Iraqi police source also reported strikes on the Popular Mobilisation Forces (PMF) headquarters in al-Qaim and Mosul.
Iran academic calls US strikes ‘war crimes’
Iranian academic Mohsen Farkhani criticised US strikes on infrastructure, calling them “war crimes”.
He said there would be “no ceasefire” and accused Washington of pursuing optics over strategy.
Former US NSA Bolton flags lack of clear strategy
Former US National Security Advisor John Bolton said Trump’s approach lacks clarity.
“His objectives are unclear… he doesn’t think strategically,” Bolton said, warning the conflict could stretch longer.
Iran accuses UN nuclear watchdog of ‘complicity’
Iran’s Atomic Energy Organisation accused the International Atomic Energy Agency of failing to condemn strikes on its nuclear sites.
It said the agency’s silence amounts to “clear complicity” following confirmed damage to key facilities.
NATO tensions rise as Trump questions alliance role
NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte is set to meet Trump amid rising friction over the alliance’s limited involvement.
Trump has criticised European allies for not supporting efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and hinted at a possible US withdrawal from NATO.
Iran questions US intent after targeted strike
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said a recent strike killed the wife of a senior official, raising doubts over US claims of pursuing dialogue.
“Let the world judge… which side engages in dialogue and which in terrorism?” he said.
Missing US airman adds to tensions
Concerns have grown over a missing US crew member following the aircraft downing.
Trump declined to outline a response if the airman is harmed, saying he hopes “that’s not going to happen.”
Iran rejects ceasefire, Pakistan mediation fails
Iran has turned down a US-backed 48-hour ceasefire proposal and rejected mediation attempts routed through Pakistan.
Tehran called US demands “unacceptable”, further delaying any diplomatic breakthrough.
Reports indicate Iran may instead consider mediation efforts led by Qatar.
Aircraft loss ‘won’t affect talks’: Trump
US President Donald Trump said the downing of an American aircraft would not impact diplomacy.
“No, not at all. No, it’s war. We’re in war,” he said, declining to elaborate on possible responses.
US aircraft downed over Iran; one crew member rescued
A US F-15E fighter jet was brought down over Iran, marking the first such loss in the conflict.
One crew member has been rescued and is receiving treatment, while search operations continue for the second.
Iran has also claimed it downed a US A-10 aircraft near the Strait of Hormuz, though this remains unverified.
Iran says it can sustain Hormuz disruption ‘for years’
A senior Iranian official said Tehran has the capacity to maintain restrictions in the Strait of Hormuz over the long term.
“Iran has the capability to sustain this situation for years,” the official said, referring to limits on US and allied vessels.
Tehran signals wider maritime pressure beyond Hormuz
Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf suggested that pressure could expand beyond the Strait of Hormuz.
He pointed to the Bab el-Mandeb Strait as another vulnerable global chokepoint, raising concerns over wider supply disruptions.
Iran warns of strikes beyond US assets, targets allies too
Iran’s armed forces headquarters warned that retaliation would not be limited to US military targets.
The statement said strikes could extend to energy, economic and infrastructure hubs in countries hosting US bases.
Iran launches ‘Wave 93’ strikes on Israeli targets
Iranian and allied forces launched another round of attacks under “Operation True Promise 4”.
According to the IRGC, missile and drone strikes hit Israeli military sites in Western Galilee, Haifa, Kafr Kanna and Krayot, with operations set to continue.
Israel carries out 70+ strikes; claims major damage to Iran capacity
Israel said it carried out more than 70 strikes across western and central Iran, targeting missile launch sites, UAV storage and air defence systems.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed the attacks had destroyed 70 per cent of Iran’s steel production capacity, calling it a major blow to its military infrastructure.
US plans record $1.5 trillion defence budget amid war
The White House has proposed a $1.5 trillion defence budget for fiscal 2027, reflecting a major escalation in military focus.
The plan includes expanding naval capabilities, boosting munitions and launching the proposed “Golden Dome” missile defence system. Military personnel could also see pay hikes of up to 7 per cent.
Non-defence spending, meanwhile, faces sharp cuts, including reductions to social programmes and climate funding.